Psalms 39

Psalms 39:1-13

the Fleeting Measure of Our Days Psalms 39:1-13 In the opening verses David describes the circumstances out of which this psalm arose. The presence and prosperity of the wicked stirred him to the depths, but he carefully refrained from speech. There are hot moments in our lives, when we do well not to say what is in our hearts. But if our feelings demand a vent, let us get alone and speak out our hearts to God. A softer tone settles on heart and tongue, when we reach His holy presence. How frail we are, not only in our life, but in our moods! We need not fear men; they are but for a moment; as a breath that curls up in the frosty air, or as a shadow sweeping across the mountainside. Only God abides. Man is vanity; his pride and beauty are like a bursting soap-bubble; he is a stranger and pilgrim along this bank and shoal of time. But the child of the Eternal God is a guest with him, Psalms 39:12. He travels in our company. He makes Himself responsible for our well-being. He will bring us safely home as He did all our “ fathers.”

I was dumb!Written by David and handed to Jeduthun, who is specially mentioned as entrusted with the Psalmody (1 Chronicles 16:41-42). Psalms 37:1-40 is a calm meditation on the respective lots of righteous and wicked men. This Psalm is full of impetuous and impatient complaint, which finally works itself out and subsides into a more submissive and plaintive tone.

Psalms 39:1-6 Impatient murmurings.

Psalms 39:7-13 Faith and prayer.

Psalms 39:1I will take heed. A tale of the fifth century tells of a plain man, who, having learned this verse, took leave of his teacher, saying he would return for more when he had mastered it. He did not return for forty-nine years, as he found it took him all that time to acquire its lessons. We need to ask God to tame what man never can (James 3:2-8).

Psalms 39:3 While I was musing. The pent-up fire broke forth as from a volcano. Perhaps it had been better, if it had been altogether restrained (Job 1:22; Job 2:10; Job 3:1). And yet, if the lips must tell the unsupportable agony of the heart, it is better to tell it all out into the ear of God.

Psalms 39:5 My days as a hand-breadth. Not only does he, with all his days, shrink into nothingness in contrast with God, but every man, when standing most firmly, is only “a breath” (R.V., marg.). The outward life and activity of men is fleeting and unsubstantial as the shadow of a cloud on the mountain slope.

Psalms 39:7 My hope is in Thee!. David ceases from peering into dizzy depths, which well-nigh make him reel–and looks upward. This is the turning point of the Psalm. The former thoughts are repeated, but the dark clouds are shot through with light.

Psalms 39:9I was dumb. Dumbness not now from wrath, as in Psalms 39:2, but from trust. Thou didst it.

Psalms 39:11 When Thou dost correct. The transience of human life is now seen to be due to the sin which needs correction, much more than to any defect in God’s creative love.

Psalms 39:12A stranger with Thee (Leviticus 25:23)We have a constant companion. God is our fellow-pilgrim. “Life need not be lonely, if He be with us; nor its shortness sad.”